Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treatment with doxorubicin-eluting polyethylene glycol microspheres: a single-center experience

Abstract

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is indicated for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 50 hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with TACE using doxorubicin-loaded LifePearl™ to investigate the safety and efficacy of TACE. Results: There was no 30-day mortality, and limited adverse events were reported. At best tumor response, complete response and disease control were 58% and 94%, respectively, with a median of 4.5 months of follow-up. Median overall survival was 33.8 months. Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0 and stage A at best tumor response showed a higher complete response rate (83%) than patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B (complete response: 50%; p = 0.0414). Conclusion: Doxorubicin-loaded LifePearl™ TACE might be an effective treatment, with a good safety profile, for patients with early/intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Further prospective data, especially with a small cohort of selected patients, are required to confirm these results.

Transarterial Chemoembolization with Anthracyclines-Loaded Polyethylene Glycol Drug Eluting Microspheres for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pooled Multicentric Analysis of Survival in 580 Patients

“…The pooled analysis included 5 studies (3 retrospective and 2 prospective) performed between 2015 and 2020, 4 of them published previously [ 9 , 11 , 13 , 14 ]. All studies enrolled patients ≥ 18 years old with unresectable HCC that were assigned to TACE by a multidisciplinary tumour board (MDT) according to the institution’s practice.…”

“…Polyethylene glycol drug eluting microspheres (PEG-DEM) have mechanical and drug eluting characteristics similar to other DEM of the same particle size, with hydrophilic properties, can be loaded with a variety of anthracyclines, and remain in suspension for a long time [ 8 ]. Early efficacy and safety clinical data for PEG-DEM have been reported [ 9 , 11 , 13 – 17 ].…”